Abstract:

The growth in population and industrialisation have contributed to the exponential increase in pollution in the Niger Delta ecosystem. Aquatic organisms have the ability to accumulate metals. This study is aimed at evaluating the levels and health risk assessment of metals (Cd, Cr, Pb and Fe) in Goniopsis cruentata from K-Dere Creek. Six sampling locations were mapped out with GPS and biological samples were collected and transported to the laboratory. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was used for metals analysis using standard method. Data obtained were statistically analysed using SPSS version 23. The mean concentrations of metals in biota across the six stations were greater then recommended limit by Federal Ministry of Environment (FEnvm., 2021). Mean and standard deviation concentration Cd, Pb, and Fe showed no significant difference but Cr showed significant differences at p>0.05 across the stations. Metal concentrations decrease across the stations as follows; station1(Fe>Cd>Pb>Cr), station2(Fe>Cd>Pb>Cr), station 3(Fe>Cr>Cd> Pb), station4(Fe>Cr>Cd>Pb), station 5(Fe>Cr>Cd> Pb) and station6 (Fe>Cr>Cd>Pb). There was no significant difference in the mean concentration of metals across the months of sampling. Exposure assessment was evaluated in terms of estimated daily intake which from 3.34E-05 – 0.06 in station 1, 9.95E-06 – 0.05 in station 2, 7.99E-06 – 0.06 in station 3, 7.99E-06 – 0.06 in station 4, 7.99E-06 – 0.05 in station 5 and 9.59E-06 – 0.06 in station 6 between Pb and Fe respectively. Risk assessment for non-carcinogenic element through Hazard Quotient showed no significant health risk for Cr, Pb and Fe but Cr showed significant health risk across the stations. Hazard Index were greater than 1 across the six stations. Cd showed a significantly cancer risk while Cr showed no significant cancer risk across the stations respectively.